Two way radio

ABSTRACT

A two way radio includes a first push to talk button and a second push to talk button. The first push to talk button is configured to cause transmission of a first signal on a first channel. The second push to talk button is configured to cause transmission of a second signal on a second channel. The first and second channels are in a single radio network.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/751,300, filed Dec. 19, 2005.

BACKGROUND

Two way radios allow users the ability to wirelessly communicate withothers on a small network. Most two way radios use various channels orfrequencies for communication. Monitoring of more than one channelallows a user to communicate with a plurality of people for a variety ofpurposes. In a security environment, for instance, channel 1 may be usedto communicate about and monitor emergency conditions. Channel 2 may beused to communicate about and monitor major security threats. Channel 3may be used to communicate about and monitor minor security threats. Auser may monitor all three channels by using a two way radio having ascanning mode. However, the user is limited to transmitting on the mostrecently scanned channel. If the user fails to transmit within a shortpredetermined period of time, the two way radio may have scanned to anew channel. The user then has to manually select the channel wastingtime and eliminating the ability to scan other channels during theselection process.

What is needed is a two way radio that allows a user to listen to morethan one channel and transmit on a selected channel or predeterminedchannel in a convenient manner.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a two way radio includes a first push totalk button and a second push to talk button. The first push to talkbutton is configured to cause transmission of a first signal on a firstchannel. The second push to talk button is configured to causetransmission of a second signal on a second channel. The first andsecond channels are in a single radio network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of the invention are illustrated, without limitation, in theaccompanying figures in which like numeral references refer to likeelements and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an illustrated view of a two way radio in accordance withan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a two way radio in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows an illustrated view of a speaker and microphone for usewith a two way radio in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a circuit diagram of a push to talk circuit in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows an illustrated view of a headset for use with a two wayradio in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram of a method for operating a two way radio inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of a method for operating a two way radio inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram of a method for operating a two way radio inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a flow diagram of a method for operating a two way radio inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 10 shows a flow diagram of a method for operating a two way radioin accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the principles are shown byway of examples of systems and methods described. In the followingdescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the examples. It will be apparent however,to one of ordinary skill in the art, that the examples may be practicedwithout limitation to these specific details. In other instances, wellknown methods and structures are not described in detail so as not tounnecessarily obscure understanding of the examples.

In an example, a two way radio includes two push to talk buttons. Afirst push to talk button is configured to transmit a signal on a firstchannel while a second push to talk button is configured to transmit asignal on a second channel. Both the first and second channels may belocated in the same radio network. In one example, the first push totalk button is assigned to a first channel while the second push to talkbutton is assigned to a second channel. A user may use the two way radioto listen to both channels simultaneously. That is, the user does nothave to switch between the first and second channel to hear bothchannels. If the user wants to send a message on the first channel, theuser presses the first push to talk button. If the user wants to send amessage on the second channel, the user presses the second push to talkbutton. Additionally, the first or second channel may consist of a talkgroup or group of channels. This may be assigned by the user.

In another example, the two way radio includes two push to talk buttonsand a selector for allowing a user to select a channel for use. A firstpush to talk button is configured to transmit a signal on a firstchannel while a second push to talk button is configured to transmit asignal on a second channel or group of channels. Both the first andsecond channels may be located in the same radio network. The userselects a channel to use and the first push to talk button is thenassigned to the channel selected by the user. The second push to talkbutton is assigned to a second predetermined channel. A user may use thetwo way radio to listen to both channels simultaneously or alternativelyto only the selected channel. If the user wants to send a message on theselected channel, the user presses the first push to talk button. If theuser wants to send a message on the second channel, the user presses thesecond push to talk button.

In another example, the two way radio includes two push to talk buttonsand a scanning module for allowing a user to scan through a list ofchannels. A first push to talk button is configured to transmit a signalon a first channel while a second push to talk button is configured totransmit a signal on a second channel or group of channels. Both thefirst and second channels may be located in the same radio network. Theuser puts the two way radio in scanning mode and listens toconversations in the channels as the radio scans through the list ofchannels. The first push to talk button is assigned to the most recentlyscanned or selected channel. This assignment continues to change as thechannels are scanned. If the user wants to communicate on the mostrecently scanned or selected channel, the user pushes the first push totalk button. The second push to talk button may be assigned to a secondpredetermined channel. If the user wants to send a message on the mostrecently scanned channel, the user presses the first push to talkbutton. If the user wants to send a message on the second channel, theuser presses the second push to talk button.

With reference first to FIG. 1, there is shown a two way radio 100including a first push to talk button 102 and a second push to talkbutton 104. The two way radio 100 also includes a microphone 106, aspeaker, 108, a volume knob 110, a channel selector 112, and an antenna114. The volume knob 110 may also act as the on/off switch for the twoway radio 100 allowing a user to turn the two way radio 100 on andadjust the volume to the appropriate level. The user may adjust thechannel selector 112 to select a channel to use. In one embodiment, thefirst push to talk button 102 operates to transmit a signal on thechannel selected by the channel selector 112. The second push to talkbutton 104 operates to transmit a signal on another channel selected bythe user. Assigning a channel to the second push to talk button 104 maybe accomplished programmatically or through a series of switches. Inanother embodiment, a user may hold down the second push to talk button104 and then select the channel to assign using the channel selector112. Once the appropriate channel is selected, the user may release thesecond push to talk button 104.

In another embodiment, the channel selector 112 may include a pluralityof selections wherein each selection is a channel or a job list. Forexample, if the channel selector 112 includes 16 selections there may be16 possible channels for use. However, a subset of those selections maybe reserved for job lists. A user may decide to program fourconfigurations or job lists into the two way radio 100. In that case, 12channels will be available for use and the remaining four selectionswill be assigned to setting the two way radio 100 to a predeterminedconfiguration or job list.

A job list, as used herein, is a preprogrammed configuration for the twoway radio 100. For example, if the user of the two way radio 100 hasseveral scenarios for operating the radio, the user may program or havea technician program a job list into the two way radio 100. In one joblist the first push to talk button 102 may be assigned to channel fourwhile the second push to talk button 104 is assigned to channel eight.In another job list, the first push to talk button 102 may be assignedto channel three while the second push to talk button 104 is assigned tochannel seven. The various possible scanning modes of the two way radio100 may also be configured using job lists.

In another embodiment, the channel selection 112 may include a pluralityof selections wherein each selection is a channel. In this embodiment,the two way radio 100 may be provided with a job list selector 116. Inthis manner, full use of the available channels is accessible throughthe channel selector 112. For instance, if the channel selector 112includes 16 selections, then the 16 channels are usable. The job listselector 116 allows the user to separately select a particularconfiguration of the two way radio 100.

In another embodiment, the channel selector 112 may include a scanningmode selection. The scanning mode allows the user to listen to severalchannels from a list of channels. In this example, the first push totalk button 102 may be assigned to the most recently scanned channel. Ifthe scanning mode scans channels 1, 2, 3, 7, and 9 then back to 1, thenthe first push to talk button 102 is assigned to channels 1, 2, 3, 7,and 9 and then back to 1 in that order. In this way, the first push totalk button 102 may be used to communicate on the channel most recentlylistened to by the user. As with the previous example, the second pushto talk button 104 may be assigned to a predetermined channel.

In another embodiment, the first push to talk button 102 may be assignedto a first channel while the second push to talk button 104 may beassigned to a second channel. In this example, the user may scanchannels or select specific channel for listening to variousconversations. However, the first push to talk button 102 may be used totalk to a specific person or group no matter which channel the user iscurrently monitoring.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a block diagram of a two wayradio 200 including a first push to talk button 202, a second push totalk button 204, a microphone 206, a speaker 208, a button selector 210,a channel selector 212, an antenna 214, a transmitter 216 and a receiver218. FIG. 2 also illustrates a first channel 220 and a second channel222.

A user may monitor a channel by selecting the channel using the channelselector 212. The channel selector 212 is connected to the receiver 218.The receiver 218 receives signals from the antenna 214 and decodes ordemodulates the signals, processes the signals, and provides audiooutput through the speaker 208. The receiver 218 may monitor more thanone frequency or channel at a time. Additionally, the receiver 218 mayinclude a scanning module 224 for scanning through a list ofpredetermined frequencies. The receiver 218 may also provide input tothe button selector 210 for various purposes described below.

The first push to talk button 202, the second push to talk button 204and the microphone 206 may communicate through the button selector 210to the transmitter 216. The button selector 210 determines which push totalk button 202 or 204 the user has selected and transmits the signalsreceived from the microphone 206 to the transmitter 216. The transmitter216 uses the antenna 214 for transmission of the signals on the firstchannel 220 or the second channel 222. In one example, the first push totalk button 202 is assigned to the first channel 220 while the secondpush to talk button is assigned to the second channel 222. The buttonselector 210 decodes signals created when the first or second push totalk buttons 202 or 204 are pressed to determined which button isselected. The button selector 210 then determines which channel isassigned to the selected button in order to determine which channel touse to transmit the signal. This determination may be made in a varietyof manners. For instance, the button selector 210 may use a look uptable or an algorithm to determine which channel is assigned to theselected button.

In another example, the first push to talk button 202 may be dynamicallyassigned depending on the state of the receiver 218. In this case, thereceiver 218 provides input to the button selector 210 including thecurrent channel being received. The first push to talk button 202 isthen assigned to the current channel being received. The channelreceived may be the channel selected by the user through the channelselector 212. Alternatively, the channel received may be the channelcurrently being scanned by the scanning module 224 of the receiver 218.

FIG. 3 shows an illustrated view of a handset 300 for use with a two wayradio. The handset 300 includes a first push to talk button 302, asecond push to talk button 304, a microphone 306, a speaker 308, and acord 310 with a plug connector 312. The plug connector 312 plugs into atwo way radio, such as the two radios described above, allowing a userto remotely operate the two way radio. For instance, a user may clip thetwo way radio to a belt and use the handset 300 for operating the radio.In one embodiment, the first push to talk button 302 operates totransmit a signal on the channel selected by the channel selector of thetwo way radio. The second push to talk button 304 operates to transmit asignal on another channel selected by the user. Assigning a channel tothe second push to talk button 304 may be accomplished programmaticallyor through a series of switches. In another embodiment, a user may holddown the second push to talk button 304 and then select the channel toassign using the channel selector of the two way radio. Once theappropriate channel is selected, the user may release the second push totalk button 304.

In another embodiment, the two way radio may include a scanning mode.The scanning mode allows the user to listen to several channels from alist of channels. In this example, the first push to talk button 302 maybe assigned to the most recently scanned channel. If the scanning modescans channels 1, 2, 3, 7, and 9 then back to 1, then the first push totalk button 302 is assigned to channels 1, 2, 3, 7, and 9 and then backto 1 in that order. In this way, the first push to talk button 302 maybe used to communicate on the channel most recently listened to by theuser. As with the previous example, the second push to talk button 304may be assigned to a predetermined channel.

In another embodiment, the first push to talk button 302 may be assignedto a first channel while the second push to talk button 304 may beassigned to a second channel. In this example, the use may scan channelsor select specific channel for listening to various conversations.However, the first push to talk button 302 may be used to talk to aspecific person or group no matter which channel the user is currentlymonitoring.

FIG. 4 shows a circuit diagram of a push to talk circuit 400. In theself-contained two way radio examples disclosed in FIG. 2, the buttonselector 210 determines if the first push to talk button 202 or thesecond push to talk button 204 is pressed by the user. Thisdetermination may be made in a variety of well known manners. However,in the handset example shown in FIG. 3 and the headset example shownbelow in FIG. 5, only two wires connect two or more push to talk buttonsto the button selector. Therefore, it is more difficult to determinewhich push to talk button is pressed. In FIG. 4, a first push to talkbutton 402 and a second push to talk button 404 are connected inparallel to the plug 406. A first resistor 408 is connected in serieswith the first push to talk button 402. A second resistor 410 isconnected in series with the second push to talk button 404. Theresistance of the first and second resistors 408 and 410 are different.Therefore, simply applying voltage to the plug and measuring currentthrough the circuit will allow the button selector to determine if thefirst or second push to talk buttons 402 or 404 is pressed.Alternatively, the two way radio or button selector may apply current tothe plug and measure voltage in order to make a determination.

In an alternative embodiment, a headset or handset may include anynumber of push to talk buttons (with series resistors) in parallel. Ifeach resistance value is different, the button selector or two way radiomay easily determine which push to talk button is currently beingactivated by the user.

The circuit diagram depicted in FIG. 4 is simplified for purposes ofclarity and explanation. Other circuit elements including a microphoneelement may be included in the circuit.

FIG. 5 shows an illustrated view of a headset 500 for use with a two wayradio. The handset 500 includes a first push to talk button 502, asecond push to talk button 504, a microphone 506, ear cups 508, and acord 510 with a plug connector 512. The plug connector 512 plugs into atwo way radio, such as the two radios described above, allowing a userto remotely operate the two way radio. For instance, a user may clip thetwo way radio to a belt and wear the headset 500 for operating theradio. In one embodiment, the first push to talk button 502 operates totransmit a signal on the channel selected by the channel selector of thetwo way radio. The second push to talk button 504 operates to transmit asignal on another channel selected by the user. Assigning a channel tothe second push to talk button 504 may be accomplished programmaticallyor through a series of switches. In another embodiment, a user may holddown the second push to talk button 504 and then select the channel toassign using the channel selector of the two way radio. Once theappropriate channel is selected, the user may release the second push totalk button 504.

In another embodiment, the two way radio may include a scanning mode.The scanning mode allows the user to listen to several channels from alist of channels. In this example, the first push to talk button 502 maybe assigned to the most recently scanned channel. If the scanning modescans channels 1, 2, 3, 7, and 9 then back to 1, then the first push totalk button 502 is assigned to channels 1, 2, 3, 7, and 9 and then backto 1 in that order. In this way, the first push to talk button 502 maybe used to communicate on the channel most recently listened to by theuser. As with the previous example, the second push to talk button 504may be assigned to a predetermined channel.

In another embodiment, the first push to talk button 502 may be assignedto a first channel while the second push to talk button 504 may beassigned to a second channel. In this example, the use may scan channelsor select specific channel for listening to various conversations.However, the first push to talk button 502 may be used to talk to aspecific person or group no matter which channel the user is currentlymonitoring.

FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram of a method 600 for using the two way radio200. The following description of the method 600 is made with referenceto the two way radio 200 illustrated in FIG. 2, and thus makes referenceto the elements cited therein. The following description of the method600 is one manner in which the two way radio 200 may be used. In thisrespect, it is to be understood that the following description of themethod 600 is but one manner of a variety of different manners in whichsuch a two way radio may be used.

In the method 600, the two way radio 200 transmits a first signal on thefirst channel 220 when the first push to talk button 202 is pressed atstep 602. The two way radio 200 then transmits a second signal on thesecond channel 222 when the second push to talk button 204 is pressed atstep 604. The first and second channels 220 and 222 are located in asingle radio network.

FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of a method 700 for using the two way radio200. The following description of the method 700 is made with referenceto the two way radio 200 illustrated in FIG. 2, and thus makes referenceto the elements cited therein. The following description of the method700 is one manner in which the two way radio 200 may be used. In thisrespect, it is to be understood that the following description of themethod 700 is but one manner of a variety of different manners in whichsuch a two way radio may be used.

In the method 700, the second push to talk button 204 is assigned to thesecond channel 222 at step 702. The two way radio 200 then scanschannels in a list of channels at step 704. As the channels are scanned,the first push to talk button 202 is dynamically assigned to the mostrecently scanned channel at step 706. Activating the first push to talkbutton 202 causes the two way radio 200 to transmit on the most recentlyscanned channel at step 708. Activating the second push to talk button204 causes the two way radio 200 to transmit on the second channel 222at step 710. In this embodiment, the second push to talk button 204 isused to talk on the second channel while the first push to talk button202 is used to talk on the most recently scanned channel.

FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram of a method 800 for using the two way radio200. The following description of the method 800 is made with referenceto the two way radio 200 illustrated in FIG. 2, and thus makes referenceto the elements cited therein. The following description of the method800 is one manner in which the two way radio 200 may be used. In thisrespect, it is to be understood that the following description of themethod 800 is but one manner of a variety of different manners in whichsuch a two way radio may be used.

In the method 800, the second push to talk button 204 is assigned to thesecond channel 222 at step 802. A channel is selected on the two wayradio 200 using the channel selector 212 at step 804. Then, the firstpush to talk button 202 is assigned to the selected channel at step 806.Activating the first push to talk button 202 causes the two way radio200 to transmit on the selected channel at step 808. Activating thesecond push to talk button 204 causes the two way radio 200 to transmiton the second channel 222 at step 810. In this embodiment, the secondpush to talk button 204 is used to talk on the second channel while thefirst push to talk button 202 is used to talk on the channel selected bythe channel selector 212. Adjusting the channel selector 212 changes theassignment of the first push to talk button 202 but not the second pushto talk button 204.

FIG. 9 shows a flow diagram of a method 900 for using the two way radio200. The following description of the method 900 is made with referenceto the two way radio 200 illustrated in FIG. 2, and thus makes referenceto the elements cited therein. The following description of the method900 is one manner in which the two way radio 200 may be used. In thisrespect, it is to be understood that the following description of themethod 900 is but one manner of a variety of different manners in whichsuch a two way radio may be used.

In the method 900, the first push to talk button 202 is assigned to thefirst channel 220 at step 802. The second push to talk button 204 isassigned to the second channel 222 at step 804. A user may then scan orselect various channels for monitoring at step 806. Activating the firstpush to talk button 202 causes the two way radio 200 to transmit on thefirst channel 220 at step 808. Activating the second push to talk button204 causes the two way radio 200 to transmit on the second channel 222at step 810. In this embodiment, the second push to talk button 204 isused to talk on the second channel while the first push to talk button202 is used to talk on the first channel 220. Adjusting the channelselector 212 or scanning channels does not change the assignment ofeither the first push to talk button 202 or the second push to talkbutton 204.

FIG. 10 shows a flow diagram of a method 1000 for detecting which pushto talk button is depressed using the two way radio 200. The followingdescription of the method 1000 is made with reference to the two wayradio 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and the circuit diagram illustrated inFIG. 4, and thus makes reference to the elements cited therein. Thefollowing description of the method 1000 is one manner in which the twoway radio 200 may be used. In this respect, it is to be understood thatthe following description of the method 1000 is but one manner of avariety of different manners in which such a two way radio may be used.

In the method 1000, the two way radio 200 or the button selector 210detects that either the first or second push to talk buttons 402 or 404have been pressed at step 1002. The button selector 210 then measure theresistance value of the first or second resistor 408 or 410 at step1004. This may be accomplished by applying a known voltage and measuringcurrent or alternatively by applying a known current and measuringvoltage. Once the resistance is known, the button selector 210 selectsthe channel currently assigned to either the first or second push totalk buttons 402 or 404 at step 1006.

What has been described and illustrated herein are examples of thesystems and methods described herein along with some of theirvariations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are setforth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations.Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations arepossible within the spirit and scope of these examples, which areintended to be defined by the following claims and their equivalents inwhich all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unlessotherwise indicated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A two way radio comprising: a radio transmitterthat transmits a first signal over a first channel and a second signalover a second channel, wherein the first and second channels are in asingle radio network; a first push to talk button configured to causetransmission of the first signal by the radio transmitter; and a secondpush to talk button configured to cause transmission of the secondsignal by the radio transmitter.
 2. The two way radio of claim 1 whereinthe first channel comprises the received channel.
 3. The two way radioof claim 2 wherein the second channel comprises a predetermined channelother than the received channel.
 4. The two way radio of claim 1 furthercomprising a receiver for receiving signals from the first channel andthe second channel.
 5. The two way radio of claim 4 further comprising achannel selector for selecting a received channel.
 6. The two way radioof claim 5 wherein the first channel comprises the received channel. 7.The two way radio of claim 6 wherein the second channel comprises apredetermined channel other than the received channel.
 8. The two wayradio of claim 1 further comprising a scanning module for selecting areceived channel from a predetermined list of channels.
 9. The two wayradio of claim 8 wherein the first channel comprises the receivedchannel.
 10. The two way radio of claim 9 wherein the second channelcomprises a predetermined channel other than the received channel. 11.The two way radio of claim 1 further comprising: a first resistorconnected in series with the first push to talk button; and a secondresistor connected in series with the second push to talk button,wherein: a resistance of the second resistor is different than aresistance of the first resistor, and the second resistor and the secondpush to talk button are connected in parallel to the first resistor andthe first push to talk button.
 12. A two way radio comprising: means fortransmitting a first signal over a first channel and a second signalover a second channel, wherein the first and second channels are in asingle radio network; means for causing the means for transmitting totransmit the first signal; and means for causing the means fortransmitting to transmit the second signal.
 13. The two way radio ofclaim 12 further comprising means for selecting a received channel andwherein the first channel comprises the received channel and the secondchannel comprises a predetermined channel other than the receivedchannel.
 14. The two way radio of claim 12 further comprising means forreceiving signals from the first and second channels.
 15. The two wayradio of claim 12 further comprising means for scanning a predeterminedlist of channels for selecting a received channel and wherein the firstchannel comprises the received channel and the second channel comprisesa predetermined channel other than the received channel.
 16. A method ofoperating a two way radio having at least a transmitter, a first push totalk button, and a second push to talk button, the method comprising:transmitting, by the transmitter, a first signal on a first channel whenthe first push to talk button is activated; and transmitting, by thetransmitter, a second signal on a second channel when the second push totalk button is activated, wherein the first and second channels are in asingle radio network.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:assigning a predetermined channel to the second push to talk button. 18.The method of claim 17 further comprising: scanning through a list ofchannels; assigning the most recently scanned channel to the first pushto talk button; and transmitting a third signal on the most recentlyscanned channel when the first push to talk button is activated.
 19. Themethod of claim 17 further comprising: tuning to a third channel;assigning the third channel to the first push to talk button; andtransmitting a third signal on the third channel when the first push totalk button is activated.
 20. The method of claim 17 further comprising:assigning a second predetermined channel to the first push to talkbutton.